Constitutional Hydrotherapy

What is Constitutional Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is an ancient, relaxing and powerful therapy used to cleanse and rebuild the metabolism while stimulating whole body healing. It is called constitutional Hydrotherapy because it changes the very constitution of each individual cell. It works directly on improving the immune system, increasing digestive/elimination function and achieving total body detoxification.
It has been used for years to detoxify heavy metals, pesticide/herbicide toxicity, and the daily toxic buildup of improper diet and lifestyle. It is one of the most effective therapies used in naturopathic medicine given that it stimulates the body’s own healing force. At one point it was the standard medical treatment in hospitals and clinics.
It is based on the principle of applying hot and cold applications to the body to improve the circulation of blood and lymph. Cold is stimulating, causing superficial blood vessels to constrict and shunt the blood to internal organs. Hot water is relaxing, causing blood vessels to dilate and remove waste products from the body tissues. The contrast of hot and cold applications increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and vital organs. It allows cells to work more effectively and utilize nutrition more efficiently.
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What is a treatment like?

A constitutional hydrotherapy treatment lasts around an hour. After a brief examination and evaluation the patient is dressed in a gown and wrapped comfortably in blankets.
During the first phase, hot towels are applied to the chest for 5 minutes while the patient is laying on their back. Cold towels are then immediately applied to the chest for 10 minutes. The patient is always wrapped in wool blankets throughout the entire treatment in order to keep the patient warm.
During the second phase a series of sine wave currents are applied to the front and back of the body while the patient is laying on their back for 10 minutes. The sine wave causes alternating muscle contraction and relaxation in a massaging rhythm, allowing for more remarkable effects.
During the final phase the patient is laying on their abdomen and towels are applied to the back in the same way as it was done during the first phase.

What can it treat?

Hydrotherapy treats a series of acute and chronic conditions. Some of the benefits of constitutional hydrotherapy include improvement in sleep, digestion, immune and bowel function; increase in energy level and a reduction in chronic pain and inflammation. Documented studies on hydrotherapy have shown it to increase low body basal temperature, increase white blood cell count, regulate blood sugar levels and moderate blood pressure.
Some conditions commonly treated include sinusitis, pneumonia, psoriasis, irritable bowel, Chron’s disease, arthritis, chronic fatigue, insomnia, hypertension, diabetes, chronic constipation and nervous system imbalances. A series of treatments is recommended in order to achieve greater and longer lasting results. Other naturopathic therapies have been found to work more effectively when used concurrently with constitutional hydrotherapy given its ability to improve overall health.